SUNY Sullivan grads urged to 'be resilient'

LOCH SHELDRAKE — Nicole Goebel stood before hundreds of SUNY Sullivan graduates and their families to share a story of hardship-turned-triumph.

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By Leonard Sparks

recordonline.com

By Leonard Sparks

Posted May. 19, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Leonard Sparks

Posted May. 19, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

LOCH SHELDRAKE — Nicole Goebel stood before hundreds of SUNY Sullivan graduates and their families to share a story of hardship-turned-triumph.

Laid off for the third time in 12 years. Caregiver for three children and an 89-year-old grandmother while studying accounting. Crying on the shoulder of SUNY Sullivan professor Tom Lambert.

But on Saturday, Goebel, 40, stood before 258 other graduates as one of two class speakers. In a brief address, she revealed the secrets of her success: a refusal to make excuses in the face of adversity; and the support of others, including Lambert.

"I cried on his shoulder many times," said Goebel, an East Branch resident who will begin working full-time for Granite Associates in two weeks. "He really just lifted my spirits."

SUNY Sullivan's 49th commencement was filled with stories of triumph over adversity, and celebrations of new beginnings.

There was the college itself, which has faced struggles.

But in the morning, an energetic new president, Karin Hilgersom, was inaugurated.

And in the afternoon, a newly formed alumni association christened what will be a yearlong celebration of the school's 50th anniversary.

In between, Patrick Dollard, chief executive officer for Harris-based Center for Discovery, traced his journey from low-performing high school student to head of a world-class organization.

"Be the resilient generation," said Dollard, who received an honorary doctorate. "Be ready to fight the fight and come back for more."

Graduates Jennifer Conway of Roscoe and Evangelia Fitzpatrick of Parksville each received a Chancellor Award for Student Excellence. Fitzpatrick then joined Goebel in being recognized with a Faculty Award for General Excellence. Both also shared class-speaker honors.

Jamie Evans of Roscoe and Shana Shelton of Bloomingburg were among the degree recipients.

Evans, 20, battled epilepsy to earn a degree in early childhood education. The achievement took three years instead of two as she missed class time due to multiple hospitalizations.

Shelton returned to school after deciding she had enough of working 16-hour days as a assistant manager for a Hannaford seafood department.